About the Dubbo RSL Club Resort

ABOUT US

DUBBO RSL CLUB RESORT

From the first gatherings of returned men in 1918, the problem of finding a permanent meeting place was a recurring one for the members of the RSL Sub- branch for the span of nearly 28 years. At first, meetings were held in the homes of various members; as the numbers grew, meetings were sometimes held in a public room at one of the town’s hotels. In the early 1920’s, rooms were engaged in Talbragar Street and were in use for many years, while reunions and annual meetings were held at the old Empire Hall, and at the old Masonic Hall in Church Street, which have now both been demolished.

As well as continuously serving the ideals for which the League had been formed, the Dubbo Sub-branch began to think of ways and means by which permanent quarters could be obtained, large enough to accommodate not only themselves but, looking ahead to the day when the young Diggers returned home, many times their present numbers. More than merely a place to have meetings was required. Ideally, it should be a pleasant and friendly place, comfortable and able to provide facilities for social activities and games as well as a centre from which the League could conduct its business, a place where the major factor would be the common bond uniting them all, in short, a club.

At the May monthly meeting in 1941, after the matter had been given considerable discussion, it was resolved to approach the Minister for Lands for a vacant piece of land in Macquarie Street adjacent to the then Council Chambers, to have dedicated to the Sub-branch for the express purpose of building a club. In acknowledgement of the honour due to those who had given their lives, this was to be named the Memorial Hall.

At the invitation of the Chamber of Commerce, the President addressed their members and described the Sub-branch’s vision of what the Memorial Hall would be, and interest in the project was very great throughout the town.

During the next few stringent years, with the war and its effects being uppermost in all minds, very little headway could be made regarding land or building, but this did not prevent fund raising against the eventual day of realisation, and some £1,000 had been invested at interest in War Savings Loans. The Macquarie Street block was no longer a possibility since the Council had erected their new Chambers on part of it.

The formal notice of motion that the Sub-branch form a Soldiers’ Club was given by Mr. W. Green.

Investigations into sites continued and in 1945 the Sub-branch approached the Municipal Council with an offer to purchase the then Dubbo Lighting Company premises (now the Dubbo Pioneer Museum in Macquarie Street and originally the Bank of NSW. building). After negotiation however, the Council instead gave the Sub-branch a lease of the premises for 10 years with options to renew for two 5-year periods, at the nominal rental of £75. At long last the Sub-branch had a place of its own.

At a special general meeting on January 1st, 1958, approval was given to purchase property known as the Hopetoun Guest House for a new Club site, subject to the approval of the Licensing Court. This approval was gained and the site in Wingewarra Street was acquired.

The present model Constitution was adopted in 1959, and in 1960 the name was changed to “The Dubbo RSL Memorial Club” when the magnificent new building, which had cost £110,000, opened for business in November.

DUBBO RSL CLUB RESORT VISION AND MISSION STATEMENT

OUR VISION

The Dubbo RSL Memorial Club will endeavour to continue to maintain its existing facilities, amenities, infrastructure and support and interaction with its Members and the Community of Dubbo. expanding and growing where it can to provide Members and the Community of Dubbo a Living Legacy, admirable in its ideals and service.

OUR MISSION

Dubbo RSL Memorial Club will focus on our distinctive strengths of business development and superior service vision to maintain and expand where it can, a strategic advantage in the market place for the benefit of Members, their Guests and the community of Dubbo.

DUBBO RSL CLUB RESORT DISCLOSURES STATEMENT TO MEMBERS

Dear Members,

There has been Legislative changes to the Registered Clubs Act 1976 section 41H, and the Club is no longer required to send out the Disclosures Statements to members. As a result members may obtain a copy of the Disclosures Statement by contacting the Secretary Manager on 02 6882 4411 or viewing the Statement on the display board in the entrance of the Club.